Explosively-operated, wedge-type electrical connector



J. L. MixoN, .1R

Oct. 3, i967 EXPLOSIVELY-OPERATED, WEDGE-TYPE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR 2Sheets-Sheet l Filed Dec. l2, 1966 lim. im.

ATTORNEY United States Patent O ABSTRACT F THE DISCLUSURE Thisdisclosure relates to a device for splicing electrical cable. Itincludes a shell which is tapered at each end. A pair of collapsiblejaws are located in either end.

The jaws have a taper matching the taper on the shell. Explosive meansis located centrally of the shell to drive the jaws outwardly, thuscausing them to grip a cable inserted therein.

Cross-references to related applications This case was originally filedNov. 28, 1961, Ser. No. 155,384, and a continuation was filed lFeb. 12,196.4, Ser. No, 344,401. These cases have been abandoned. Thisapplication is a substitute for application Ser. No. 344,401.

Background of the invention (1) Field of the invention: The field of theinvention relates to cable splicing devices.

-(2) Description of the prior art: The prior art utilized aspring-loaded means for driving the jaws outwardly to compress them ontothe cable.

Summary of the invention In the technique of connecting two electricalconnectors to each other, it has been found desirable to cold-forge theconductors to a common ferrule. In many instances, the cables are ofsuch a large size that it is ditlicult to apply the pressure required tomake this crimped connection at the point of usage. Tools large enoughto lgenerate the high forces required are cumbersome and diiicult to useby a lineman working at the top of the utility pole. Smaller tools willnot generate the pressure required for making connections in theseextremely large wires.

It is an object of this invention to provide a connector especiallyuseful with large-sized conductors, such as are used by the electricalutilities, wherein the force required to make the connection is achievedby an explosive charge contained in the connector. It is also an objectof this invention to provide a device having an explosive char-gewhereby ignition of the charge causes the conductors to 'be crimpedwithin the device. It is a further object of this invention to providesuch a ldevice wherein the charge cannot be ignited unless the wires areproperly secured in place.

Description of the drawings FIGURE 1 illustrates a perspective, cut-awayview of a connector embodying the principles of this invention prior tothe securing to a pair of conductors;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary, sectional view of the device of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary View of the device of FIGURE 1 showing theconductors in place;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken through plane 4 4 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional, fragmentary view taken through section 5-5 ofFIGURE 3;

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view, similar to FIGURE 5, showing the deviceafter the charge has been exploded;

FIGURE 7 is an exploded view of FIGURE 1; and FIGURE 8 is a perspectiveView of the device of FIG- URE 1 showing the connectors crimped.

Description of the preferred embodiment As shown in FIGURE 7, theconnector includes an outer shell 10 havin-g a cylindrical centralportion 12 with an opening 13 therein, and tapered outer portions 14 and16. A pair of conductor-receiving inserts 18 and 20 are adapted to bereceived in the tapered portions 14 and 16 of the shell 10. Theconductor-receiving inserts are generally cylindrical, and have a taperslightly less than the taper of the shell portion.

A plurality of slots is formed in the inserts extending from the smallerend thereof to the larger end. This permits the smaller end of thetapered insert to be constricted in order to grasp a conductor insertedtherein. Sealing rings 22 and 24 are disposed adjacent to theconductorreceiving inserts 18 and 20.

The device for containing the propellant includes an inner cylindricalmember 26, undercut at each end, to form chambers 28 and '30 adapted toreceive the propelling charge. Undercutting each end of the internalportion of the cylinder 26 leaves a ring 32 located internally of thecylinder 26. The ring has a slot 34 in the bottom portion to permitchamber 28 to communicate with chamber 30. An aperture 36 extends fromthe outer surface of the cylinder 26 into the area bounded by theinternal surface of the ring 32. The cylinder 26 and its components maybe made of plastic, eg., polyethylene.

The device for preventing actuation of the propelling charge, prior toinsertion of the conductors, includes a rod-like member 38 having acentral aperture 40 extending at right angles to the longitudinal axisof the member 38. The member 38 is disposed within the internal surfaceof the ring 32 with an interference tit. In assembly, the aperture 40 inthe member 38 coincides with the opening 36 in the cylinder 26. Thebottom portion of the aperture 40 is in communication with the slot 34.If the cylinder 26 and the rod-like member 38 are made of plastic, theymay be molded in one piece.

As shown in FIGURE 5, the aperture 40 in the rod 38 has a shouldermember 42 adapted to receive a priming charge 44. The end of the primingcharge is in communication with a propellant charge 46. Spacing theinserts 18 and 20 a slight distance from the ring 32 forms a chamber tocontain the propellant, which may be any suitable explosive.

As ydisclosed in FIGURE 7, the rod member 38 has a slot 48 extending thelength of the rod on the upper side thereof. A pair of keyways 50 and 52are situated in the bottom surface of the slot 48. Each of these keywaysextends from the outer end of the rod toward the center, a distance lessthan the full length of the slot. A pair of keys 54 and 56 are vadaptedto be inserted into the slot 48, one from each end. Each of these keyshas a spline member, 58 and 60 respectively, adapted to slide in keyways50 and 52. Each of the keys S4 and 56 also has a finger, 62 and 64respectively, emanating from the end thereof. It is noted that the widthof the key 54, plus the width of the linger of the opposite key 56, isequal to the width of the slot 48 (note FIGURE 3).

As shown in FIGURE 2, when the keys 54 and r56 are fully inserted intothe slot 48, with the splines 58 and 60 in the keyways 50 and 52respectively, the fingers 62 and l64 project out beyond the ends of therod 38. In this position, the keys 54 and 56 cover the aperture 40 inthe rod member 38, thus preventing access to the priming member.

As shown in FIGURE 3, when a pair of conductors, C and C are insertedinto the respective ends of the shell 18 and 20, they abut theoverhanging end of the Patented Oct. 3, 1967.

. U keys 62,v64,'and drive the keys rearwardly to uncover the primingmember 44.

In assembly, the rod member 38, with sealing members 22 and 24 retainingthe propellant, is inserted into the shell v26 with the aperture40aligned with the opening 36 in the shell. The primer 44 and keys 54, 56are also pre-assembled to cover the primer and cause the end of thefingers to overhang the rod-like members.

Initially, one end of the outer shell is tapered, as at 14, whereas theopposite end is left cylindrical. The conductor-receiving member isinserted into the cylindrical member 16 and fed down lchrough to thetapered end 14. 'Ilhe propelling device, cylinder 26, etc., is theninserted through the end 16 until it is located Within the centralportion 12 of the outer shell 10. The other conductor-receiving member20 is fed into the cylindrical portion 16. The cylindrical portion 16 isthen tapered to cause it to retain the various members in their properposition, as well as forming the tapered section.

As an alternative, the outer shell may 'be made in two parts, with ascrew-threaded joint (not shown) some place between the tapered portion14 and the tapered portion 16 for ease in assembly.

Operation-A pair of conductors C and C are fed into the respective endsof the tapered portions. Inserting the conductor into the shell to itsfull extent drives each of the keys rearwardly to expose the primer 40.This insures that the conductors are properly inserted within the shellbefore the shell may be operate-d.

With the conductors in place, a percussion device (not shown) isinserted through the aperture 36 with a percussion suitable to dischargethe primer 44. Discharge of the primer 44 ignites the propellant 46.Ignition of this charge derives the conductor-receiver inserts 18 and2t) outwardly. The tapered portions 14 and 16 on the outer shellconstrict the conductor-receiving inserts 1S and 20 radially so thatthey are firmly secured to the conductors. This is effected by thelesser taper on the inserts compared to the shell, as well as the slotsin the inserts which permit the inserts to `be deformed more readily.

An optional means for detonating the primer 44 includes a percussiondevice P (FIGURE 4) comprised of a cylinder 70, having screw threads onits outer surface which mate with screw threads in the opening 13. Ahammer 72 is slidably located within the cylinder 70, and a spring 74urges the hammer outwardly. A slot 76 in the outer end of the cylinderpermits the cylinder to be threaded in place.

Threading the cylinder 7l) into the opening 13 (FIG- URE 4) loa-ds thespring. The keys 54 and 55 prohibit the hammer 72 from striking theprimer 44. When the conductors C and C are driven into place, keys 54and 56 move longitudinally to uncover the primer 44 and release thehammer 72 to detonate the device.

Changes in construction will occur to those skilled in the art andVarious apparently different modifications and embodiments may be madewithout departing from the scope of lche invention. The matter set forthin the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by wayof illustration only. The a-ctual scope of the invention is intended tobe delined in the following claims when viewed in their properperspective against the prior art.

I claim:

1. An electrical connector capable of being secured to a conductorincluding an outer shell having an internal taper, a conductor-receivingmember within'said shell, said conductor-receiving member comprising aplurality of longitudinally extending arcuate members which may becompressed radially to grasp a conductor therein, said arcuate membersbeing circumferentially spaced, and means for radially compressing saidarcuate members, said means comprising an explosive charge locatedinterally in said shell, and means for detonating the charge to a-ctuatethe conductor-receiving means, whereby the conductor-receiving means isdriven longitudinally and the tapered surface of the shell constrictsthe arcuate sections radially.

2. The device of claim 1 including means for preventing actuation of theexplosive change when a conductor is not properly positioned in saidshell.

3. The device of claim 1 including means for automatically detonatingthe explosive change when a conductor is properly positioned in saidshell.

4. An electrical connector capable of being secured to a conductorincluding an outer shell, a conductorreceiving means within said s'hell,said conductor-receiving means comprising a plurality of longitudinallyextending members which may be compressed radially to grasp a conductortherein, said members being circumferentially spaced, and means forradially compressing said mem- `bers onto said conductor, saidcompressing means comprising an explosive charge located in said shell,and means for detonating the charge to actuate the conductorreceivingmeans, whereby the conductor-receiving means is driven longitudinally toconstrict the conductor-receiving members to the conductor.

5. The device of claim 4 including a plurality of conductor-receivingmeans for joining a plurality of conductors in electrical relationship.

No references cited.

DARRELL L. CLAY, Primary Examiner.

1. AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR CAPABLE OF BEING SECURED TO A CONDUCTORINCLUDING AN OUTER SHELL HAVING AN INTERNAL TAPER, A CONDUCTOR-RECEIVINGMEMBER WITHIN SAID SHELL, SAID CONDUCTOR-RECEIVING MEMBER COMPRISING APLURALITY OF LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING ARCUATE MEMBERS WHICH MAY BECOMPRESSED RADIALLY TO GRASP A CONDUCTOR THEREIN, SAID ARCUATE MEMBERSBEING CIRCUMFERENTIALLY SPACED, AND MEANS FOR RADIALLY COMPRESSING SAIDARCUATE MEMBERS, SAID MEANS COMPRISING AN EXPLOSIVE CHARGE LOCATEDINTERALLY IN SAID SHELL, AND MEANS FOR DETONATING THE CHARGE TO ACTUATETHE CONDUCTOR-RECEIVING MEANS, WHEREBY THE CONDUCTOR-RECEIVING MEANS ISDRIVEN LONGITUDINALLY AND THE TAPERED SURFACE OF THE SHELL CONSTRICTSTHE ARCUATE SECTIONS RADIALLY.